Bannerlord How To Recruit Lords

So, you've been adventuring in the wild, wonderful world of Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. You've probably fought your fair share of bandits, maybe even taken a castle or two. But let's be honest, it gets a little lonely out there with just your loyal band of mercenaries. What you really need are some powerful friends, some respected figures to stand beside you as you conquer the land. That, my friends, is where recruiting Lords comes in, and trust me, it's way more exciting than convincing your grumpy uncle to lend you five bucks.

Think of it like this: you're building your dream team, your ultimate squad of legendary heroes. Sure, you've got your trusty foot soldiers, but wouldn't it be cooler if you also had a grizzled veteran with a legendary beard, a noble knight who can charm the pants off a dragon, or a cunning strategist who can outsmart even the most cunning of foxes? That's exactly what recruiting Lords brings to your banner. They're not just soldiers; they're seasoned warriors, influential figures, and often, they come with their own little armies already in tow.

Now, how do you go about snagging these magnificent beings for your cause? It's not as simple as walking up to them and saying, "Hey, wanna join my cool club?" Oh no, that would be far too easy. These are Lords, people! They have pride, they have loyalties, and they're not easily swayed by a charming smile and a pocketful of slightly bruised apples. You need a strategy, a bit of finesse, and a whole lot of patience.

The Art of the Persuasion

First things first, you need to know who you're dealing with. Every Lord in Calradia is a unique snowflake, just like in real life, but with more swords. Some are honorable and might be drawn to your noble deeds. Others are more pragmatic and might be swayed by promises of land and power. And then there are the truly bizarre ones, the kind who probably collect goblin ears as a hobby. You gotta do your homework!

The most common way to get a Lord on your side is to offer them something they desire. This usually involves coin, a lot of coin. Imagine you're trying to convince your friend to help you move a couch. You wouldn't just ask, right? You'd probably offer them pizza and a cold drink. In Bannerlord, that's like offering them a few thousand dinars and the promise of future riches.

But money isn't always king. Some Lords are all about prestige and influence. If you've just won a massive battle, claimed a thriving city, or been crowned the ultimate warrior of the realm, word gets around. Your reputation becomes your best recruitment tool. Think of yourself as a rockstar; the more famous you are, the more people want to join your entourage.

Building Bridges (and Burning Others)

Sometimes, you'll find a Lord who is currently a vassal of another kingdom. This is where things get a little spicy. You can't just poach them like a rogue squirrel stealing nuts from a bird feeder. You need to create a situation where they want to leave their current master. This often involves war.

If their current kingdom is losing a war, or if they have a personal beef with their liege, that's your opening! You can swoop in like a knight in shining armor (or a slightly rusty mercenary with a good sword) and offer them a better deal. It's like finding someone unhappy in their job and offering them a promotion with a corner office and a better dental plan.

The key here is to be present. If you see a Lord who is a vassal of a kingdom that's at war, and that Lord seems to be unhappy or is far from their liege's support, that's your cue to make your move. You might need to pick a fight with their liege first, creating that perfect storm of discontent. It's a bit like setting the stage for a dramatic play, but with more arrows and less Shakespeare.

And sometimes, my friends, you might just stumble upon a Lord who is currently leaderless. Their kingdom might have imploded, or their liege might have met an untimely end in a particularly enthusiastic joust. These are the golden opportunities! It's like finding a perfectly good donut on the street – a little unexpected, but a delicious win.

When you find yourself in such a fortunate situation, the Lord is often looking for a new banner to follow. This is your chance to impress them with your might and your vision. Make sure your own kingdom is doing well, that you have decent lands, and that you present yourself as a stable and powerful leader. They want to join a winner, not a sinking ship.

The Friend Factor: More Than Just a Name

Did you know that your relationships with other Lords matter? It's true! The more positive your relationship is with a Lord, the easier it will be to convince them to join your cause. Think of it like having a good rapport with your neighbors. If you're always waving, helping them with their groceries, and occasionally sharing your prize-winning rhubarb pie, they're more likely to listen to you when you ask them to join your neighborhood watch.

So, how do you build these friendships? Complete quests for them, help them in battles, win tournaments where they are participating, and generally be a decent human being (or at least, a decent Calradian human being). The higher your relationship score, the more likely they are to say "yes" when you pop the big question.

Conversely, if you've been actively trying to stab them in the back or steal their precious sheep, don't expect them to jump at your offer. They might even laugh in your face and send their entire army to make your life a misery. It's a tough world out there, and karma, even in the form of pixels, tends to have a long memory.

The Faction Shuffle: When Loyalty Gets Complicated

Sometimes, you'll find a Lord who is technically a member of a kingdom, but they're not happy with their current ruler. Maybe the king is a tyrant, or maybe the queen has a really annoying laugh. Whatever the reason, they might be open to defecting to your side. This is where things can get a little bit political.

You can't just march in and demand their allegiance. You usually have to be at war with their current kingdom for this to be an option. And even then, it's not guaranteed. The Lord will weigh the pros and cons, much like you do when deciding whether to get that extra scoop of ice cream.

If you are at war with their kingdom, and they have a negative relationship with their liege, and you have a good relationship with them, and you can offer them a sweet deal (land, power, a lifetime supply of good mead), then you might just pull it off. It's like orchestrating the perfect heist, but instead of diamonds, you're stealing noble warriors.

And let's not forget the most important thing of all: your own success. No Lord wants to join a losing faction. If your kingdom is constantly getting its rear end handed to it, if your castles are falling faster than a hot air balloon in a hurricane, then why would anyone reputable want to be associated with you? Be a winner, and the Lords will flock to your banner like pigeons to a particularly crumbly statue.

So, there you have it! Recruiting Lords in Bannerlord is a grand adventure in itself. It's about diplomacy, strategy, a bit of charm, and sometimes, a whole lot of coin. It's about building your legacy, one influential ally at a time. Go forth, make friends, make enemies (and then make them friends!), and build the most legendary army Calradia has ever seen. Happy recruiting!